Development of a sample preparation procedure for Sr isotope analysis of Portland cements

The 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratio can, in principle, be used for provenancing of cement. However, while commercial cements consist of multiple components, no detailed investigation into their individual 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios or their influence on the integral 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratio of the resulting cement was conducted previously. Therefore, the present study aimed at determining and comparing the conventional 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios of a diverse set of Portland cements and their corresponding Portland clinkers, the major component of these cements. Two approaches to remove the additives from the cements, i.e. to measure the conventional 87Sr/86Sr isotopic fingerprint of the clinker only, were tested, namely, treatment with a potassium hydroxide/sucrose solution and sieving on a 11-µm sieve. Dissolution in concentrated hydrochloric acid/nitric acid and in diluted nitric acid was employed to determine the 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios of the cements and the individual clinkers. The aim was to find the most appropriate sample preparation procedure for cement provenancing, and the selection was realised by comparing the 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios of differently treated cements with those of the corresponding clinkers. None of the methods to separate the clinkers from the cements proved to be satisfactory. However, it was found that the 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios of clinker and cement generally corresponded, meaning that the latter can be used as a proxy for the clinker 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratio. Finally, the concentrated hydrochloric acid/nitric acid dissolution method was found to be the most suitable sample preparation method for the cements; it is thus recommended for 87Sr/86Sr isotope analyses for cement provenancing. Graphical abstract

Investigating the Compressive Strength Properties of Concrete Using Some Common Ghanaian Ordinary Portland Cements

In a general sense, concrete is made of cementitious material, aggregates and water but the mix productivity is one issues that affect the amount of strength concrete developed. The concrete mix productivity is a direct function of the amount and quality of the cementitious material. The commonest cementitious material used for concrete in Ghana like other countries in the world is the Ordinary Portland Cement. The research sort to investigate the compressive strength properties of concrete made from some common Ghanaian Ordinary Portland Cement brands mostly used in the countries construction industries. The research strategy adopted was experimental. The research was a cross –sectional studies and used laboratory tests to get information on all cements. Cement grade 42.5N, 42.5R and 32.5R were used. A total of one – hundred and eight (108) concrete cubes were made from nine different brands of Ordinary Portland Cement with a mix design of 1:2:4. No admixtures were used in the mix. It was established that, Ordinary Portland Cement Brand E of grade 42.5R has the highest compressive strength after 28 days. Some of the cement brand with grade 32.5R developed better strength than that of grade 42.5R. Based on the experiment conducted, it can be concluded that for the C15 (1:2:4) and C20 compressive strength as per IS 456:2000, Ordinary Portland Cement Brand E and G of grade 42.5R and Ordinary Portland Cement Brand H and J of grade of 32.5R satisfactory meets the requirement. It implies that some of the Ghanaians Portland Cement developed a satisfactory compressive strength and meets the minimum strength attainment after 28 days’ which is 15 N/mm2. Based on the result, it is recommended that Ordinary Portland Cement Brand E of grade 42.5R should be used for most concrete production and Ordinary Portland Cement Brand J of grade 32.5R can also be used for concrete work in the absence of E 42.5R. Citation: Akorli, K. S., Danso, K., Ayarkwa, J. and Acheampong, A. (2021). Investigating the Compressive Strength Properties of Concrete Using Some Common Ghanaian Ordinary Portland Cements. International Journal of Technology and Management Research (IJTMR), Vol. 6 (1): Pp.154-166.[Received: March 13, 2021Accepted: September 1, 2021

NORM waste, cements, and concretes. A review

The use of industrial waste and/or by-products as alternative sources of raw materials in building materials has become standard practice. The result, more sustainable construction, is contributing to the institution of a circular economy. Nonetheless, all necessary precautions must be taken to ensure that the inclusion and use of such materials entail no new health hazard for people or their environment. Due to the processes involved in generating industrial waste/by-products, these alternative or secondary materials may be contaminated with heavy metals, other undesirable chemicals or high levels of natural radioactivity that may constrain their use. In-depth and realistic research on such industrial waste is consequently requisite to its deployment in building materials. This paper reviews the basic concepts associated with radioactivity and natural radioactivity, focusing on industrial waste/by-products comprising Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) used in cement and concrete manufacture. Updated radiological data are furnished on such waste (including plant fly ash, iron and steel mill slag, bauxite and phosphogypsum waste) and on other materials such as limestone, gypsum and so on. The paper also presents recent findings on radionuclide activity concentrations in Portland cements and concretes not bearing NORMs. The role of natural aggregate in end concrete radiological behaviour is broached. The radiological behaviour of alternative non-portland cements and concretes, such as alkali-activated materials and geopolymers, is also addressed.

Performance of Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag and Coal Fly Ash Ternary Portland Cements Exposed to Natural Carbonation

Ternary Portland cements are new cementitious materials that contain different amounts of cement replacements. Ternary Portland cements composed of granulated blast-furnace slag (GBFS), coal fly ash (CFA), and clinker (K) can afford some environmental advantages by lowering the Portland cement clinker use. Accordingly, this is an opportunity to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Furthermore, GBFS and CFA possess pozzolanic properties and enhance the mechanical strength and durability at later ages. Compressive strength and natural carbonation tests were performed in mortar and concrete. Cement-based materials made with GBFS and/or CFA presented a delay in the compressive strength development. In addition, they exhibited lower carbonation resistance than that of mortar and concrete made with plain Portland cements. Concrete reinforcement remains passive in common conditions; however, it could be corroded if the concrete pore solution pH drops due to the carbonation process. Service life estimation was performed for the ternary cements regarding the carbonation process. This information can be useful to material and civil engineers in designing concretes made with these ternary cements.